50 Books Challenge 2011 - # 32: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Title: The Notebook
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Story: At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...
Start: june 5th 2011
End: june 6th 2011
Comment: The most beautiful love-story of all time is definitely "Pride & Prejudice" but "The Notebook" is probably the second best. Or at least a favorite. Noah and Allie meet when they are young and they spend an unforgetable summer together. It's Allie's parents that don't approve of this relationship and they move away. But even though they spend so many years apart, their love doesn't die. And it even lasts forever. This is such a breath taking love-story, when they are young and elderly. As younger lovers they have to convince each other that they are meant to be. When they're older, Noah has to prove his love to Allie everyday and he will never leave her side, even though the circumstances aren't ideal. This is true love, in ever sense of the word. Beautifully written by Nicholas Sparks and without a doubt one of my favrite books of all time.
Rating: 5/ 5

Pic Spam: Charlize Theron

Todays pic spam is featuring probably the most beautiful actress in Hollywood. Charlize Theron, who finally got credit for her acting after winning an oscar for "Monster". She is such a fantastic actress, my number two favorite, and underrated by many. Here are her best pictures.

50 Books Challenge 2011 - # 31: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Story: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.
Start: june 1st 2011
End: june 4th 2011
Comment: When the first book in a series is so succesful, it's hard to follow it. Suzanne Collins made it happen, because she succeeded to write an even better sequel. "Catching Fire" starts right after Katniss and Peeta won the Hunger Games. Katniss thinks she can pick up her normal life again, but instead she has te re-enter the arena. And this time the Capitol is even more relentless then before. The first was good, but this book was on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting. Again every chapter ended with a cliffhanger, so you just had to keep reading. Katniss' view on the games changed, because it's a lot harder to kill someone if you know that person already. I still like Katniss for her strength, bravery and loyalty. As for Peeta, I'm not a fan. He has his moments, but I like Gale more. His relationship with Katniss is far more true and believable. The ending was super good. I love it when books or movies have an open ending. Especially when it's a series, because now I just have to read "Mockinjay".
Rating: 5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "Stand By Me"

A new item! I wanted to do some sort of an analysis of characters in a movie. Going deeper, trying to find out who they are and what they are like. I'll pick one movie and I sort of put a magnifier over the leading characters. I will start with one of my favorite movies of all-time: "Stand By Me".

Gordie Lachance
Played by: Will Wheaton
Gordie is the sensitive boy in the group, but also the one with the best looking future due to his writing talent. His parents, especially Gordie's father, doesn't really care much for him or his storytelling. Gordie is a loyal friend, he's best friends with Chris. He's is the most mature one of the foursome.

Chris Chambers
Played by: River Phoenix
He takes over the leader role. He is a tough kid, mainly because of his background and family history. He comes from a family of criminals and drunks. He wants to do better for himself and actually has ambitions. He doesn't trust adults, because of his father and older brother who beat him up. Chris is, despite of his tough act, a good kid with the best intentions.

Teddy Duchamp
Played by: Corey Feldman
Teddy is a troubled boy. He is a bit eccentric and likes thrills, like dodging a train. Although his father never treated him well, he still idolizes him and sees him as his hero, because he stormed the beach at Normandy. His dad caused him bad vision and hearing. Teddy is a bit crazy but also has a good heart.

Vern Tessio
Played by: Jerry O'Connell
Vern is often picked on. His friends even mess with him, because he is so easy to get to, and he's used to it. He's overweight, scared easily and timid, thus an easy target for his buddies. He's also the youngest in the group. Vern is not a very brave boy, but he's a kind, big hearted and loveable friend.

Ace Merril
Played by: Kiefer Sutherland
Ace is the leader of a local gang called 'The Cobras', someone you don't want to mess with. Everyone is affraid of him and he isn't affraid to use violence.

Denny Lachance
Played by: John Cusack
Not one of the leading characters, but worth putting up here. Denny is Gordie's older brother who died in a car accident. He was the favorite of the family and the only one who actually cared for Gordie and he saw what talent his little brother had. Their father thought Gordie should've died and not Denny.

My favorite character: Vern Tessio

Best of... Stephen King (movies)

With "The Dark Tower" in the making I thought it would be time to make a list of my favorite movies based on books by the master Stephen King. My brother, who's a big fan, has a lot of his books and I read most of them. I saw a lot of movies as well and I could create a great list of fantasic films. Here it is.

"Storm of the Century"
A very chilling and incredible story. King didn't only write the book but also the script.

"1408"
This one is based on a short story and is about a haunted hotelroom. John Cusack is in it and in my opinion he turns (almost) everything into gold. Great choice for the leading role.

"Children of the Corn"
A very solid horror flick, with some genuine creepy moments. I actually didn't read the book yet.

"It"
And they wonder why so many people are affraid of clowns. They creep me out too. Especially after seeing this movie. Pennywise, very well portrayed by Tim Curry, is one of the creepiest movie characters ever. Great film.

"Secret Window"
A story with a surprise ending. A great thriller, strong acting by Johnny Depp.

"Hearts in Atlantis"
King is not just a horror author. His more serious, non-supernatural stories are just as interesting. Just as this one. Even if you're not a Stephen King fan, you will probably like it.

"The Green Mile"
It's a touching and sometimes even heartbreaking story that follows the origanal story pretty well. Tom Hanks is fantastic, as always.

"The Shining"
One of the scarriest films I've ever seen. Thanks to Jack Nicholson, who does a great job as Jack Torrance. The movie is different from the book, but it's still very good.

"The Mist"
This one really surprised me! Very good adaptation, with one of the most depressing endings I've ever seen.

"Stand By Me"
The second best movie on this list. This is such a great story about friendschip, loyalty, dreams and life in general. Four loving characters, with Verne being my favorite, and their journey to adulthood.

"Misery"
The power of this film is Kathy Bates' fantastic performance as Annie Wilkes. She seems so sweet and innocent, but she turns out to be a sadistic and obsessed freak. And the scene with the crushed feet is chilling!

"The Shawshank Redemption"
Off course this one is on the list. My all-time favorite movie. Based on a short story. This movie is one of the few that's better then its book. The acting is genius, great story, strong characters, etcetera. Just perfect!

"Carrie"
A very sad story, about revenge. Whatever comes around, goes around. You feel sorry for Carrie and not at all for all those people who die in the end.

"Apt Pupil"
I've only seen this once, a long time ago, but I remember liking it.

"Cat's Eye"
A great movie, with three stories. Sometimes very absurd, but King can get away with it. The story about the man who wanted to quit smoking is my favorite. And like I said, if anyone other then King would've written this story, people wouldn't like it as much.

I'm really curious about "The Dark Tower". Ron Howard is directing and Javier Bardem is set to lead in this adaptation. It will hit theatres in 2012 or 2013, we'll see.

50 Books Challenge 2011 Update - May

I had a pretty good month. I read some very big books and I read three books that I ended up giving a five out of five rating. And I now reached 30, so I'm ahead of my schedule and still having a lot of fun reading. Here's an update.

# 25. Ape House by Sara Gruen
# 26. One Day by David Nicholls
# 27. Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy
# 28. The Awakening (Vampire Diaries # 1) by L.J. Smith
# 29. The Struggle (Vampire Diaries # 2) by L.J. Smith
# 30. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Favorite of the month: "One Day"

Some great books I still have to read. I'm going to read "Catching Fire"by Suzanne Collins next. I'm into fantasy/ sci-fi lately, a genre I would normally never go for. I'll keep you posted on my challenge, but fot now: Happy reading everyone!

50 Books Challenge - # 30: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J.K. Rowling
Story: For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
Start: may 26th 2011
End: may 31st 2011
Comment: I can't believe how big J.K. Rowling's imagination is, and that's only after the third book. She wrote seven of those great stories. She has plenty of tricks left up her sleeve. The pace of this books is nonstop. You just want to keep reading. It's more exciting then the first two and also a bit darker and mysterious. And this one has more of a 'supernatural' touch to it. Werewolves, vampires, hippogriffs, etcetera. Very interesting. I liked Sirius Black, he was a good addition to the story. At first you think he's evil, but then he turns out to be the good guy and the story takes on a different direction. That's what I like about the Harry Potter series, you never know what to expect (unless you've read them before off course). I can't wait to read the next book again. Even though I read them all, they can still surprise you every single time.
Rating: 5/ 5